Good afternoon. A blustery but sunny Royal County Down GC is the venue for this year’s Amgen Irish Open, the first time it has hosted the event in nine years.
Rory McIlroy, a winner in 2016, and 2009 champion Shane Lowry, are among the biggest names in a field that features five of the world’s top 50 golfers, while Sweden’s Vincent Norrman will be aiming to defend his title, which he claimed at The K Club 12 months ago.
Play began at 7.30 this morning, and Jorge Campillo of Spain is the early leader on four under through 10 holes with eight players within two shots of him.
The wind is likely to be a major factor throughout the four days and live coverage will start shortly on RTÉ 2 (12.45) and Sky Sports Golf (1.0), but we will be taking you through the action here on Independent.ie.